Bait.

Specificly eggs. I'll use this setup in clear situations with low flows very much like those Great Lakes tribs. Ofcourse, rules apply.
One of my fishing partners is from Pittsburg PA and fished steel in the Great Lakes region prior to moving here in WA. He swore by a black nymph, and some weight under a bobber. Kinda like nymph fishing stream trout with a fly rod and a strike indicator. But here he mostly swore, and adapted to NW tried a true techniques.
Pink Worm.
He also never saw a steelie over 12lbs 'till moving to the left coast either.
What's this I hear about Great Lk steelheaders using freeze dried minnows for steel, and with success?? I wouldn't try them here, but I was curious.